A WOMAN known affectionately as 'Mother Joyce' died after a fall at her home in Llangollen, an inquest heard.

Joyce Ashworth's sons Chris and Paul, and her daughter Amanda Newman, told the inquest at Ruthin that she had enjoyed a "fabulous day" with her great-grandchildren on September 3 last year.

Her son Chris was staying the night at his mother's house in Pengwern with his two grandchildren when she suffered a fall on the stairs.

He told the inquest he had gone to bed at 10.30pm after they had enjoyed a "lovely day" in the park, planning a holiday, and watching the children draw pictures for their "nana".

Mrs Ashworth, 81, said she would go to bed soon after as she was checking her Facebook page.

Mr Ashworth was awoken by the landing light being on at about 2.45am. When he went to check he found his mother on her back on the slate floor at the bottom of the stairs. There was blood around her head.

He phoned 999 and was instructed how to perform CPR until an ambulance crew arrived and took over attempts to bring her round.

Her family told the inquest that Joyce would often carry several books and her mobile phone when ascending the stairs and assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central Joanne Lees agreed that this may have been a factor in her fall but it could not be known for certain.

Mrs Ashworth was taken to Wrexham Maelor. She had serious suffered head and face injuries and was "deeply unconscious". She was breathing but was given oxygen and was intubated and given a CT scan.

The Royal Stoke Hospital was consulted and it was decided the best course of action was to admit her to the intensive care unit at Wrexham.

Unfortunately, Mrs Ashworth did not regain conciousness and passed away on September 5.

Mrs Ashworth's children told the inquest that she lived "a very independent" life and was very fit for her age.

Up until the age of 80, Joyce had been a host to language students as part of European Centre For Training and Regional Co-operation (ECTARC) and many of them kept in touch, often referring to her as "Mother Joyce"

She was an avid reader, well-known at the town's library which she visited almost every week.

Although her mobility was deteriorating, she had turned down occupational therapy and did not want a stairlift but a handrail had been fitted to the stairs. She had a walking stick but rarely used it and it was a running family joke that she would often leave it at different places around Llangollen.

Her daughter Amanda Newman told the inquest that the injuries were severe and her mother would not have wanted to live with such restrictions to her independence had she recovered.

The family, which included Joyce's sister Pamela, said their treatment by Maelor staff was "absolutely fabulous and very respectful".

The cause of death was cardio respiratory failure caused by bleeding resulting from head injuries sustained in the fall.

Mrs Lees recorded a verdict of accidental death.